Curl Centric
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Curl Centric is an American online publication focused on the care and maintenance of curly, coily, kinky and wavy hair. The publication was founded by married couple Kenneth Byrd and Kira Byrd and operates through Natural Hair Community, LLC, a limited liability company organized in Alabama. Its headquarters are in Birmingham, Alabama.[1]
The publication traces its origins to 2008, when Kira Byrd began publishing information about textured hair under the name Natural Hair Community. The Curl Centric name was adopted in 2013. The United States Patent and Trademark Office record for the CURL CENTRIC mark gives September 14, 2013, as the date of first use in commerce.[1][2]
Curl Centric publishes educational articles and guides covering hair care, hair typing, hair growth, hair shrinkage, hair porosity, hair density, protective styles, hairstyles, hair products and related subjects. The publication also provides interactive hair calculators, printable reference materials and a natural-hair terminology dictionary.[3]
History
Curl Centric originated in 2008 under the name Natural Hair Community. According to the publication's account of its history, Kira Byrd began researching and publishing information about natural and textured hair during this period. Kenneth Byrd subsequently became involved in the publication and business operations.[1]
The Curl Centric name was adopted in 2013. The federal trademark record for CURL CENTRIC identifies Natural Hair Community, LLC as the owner and records September 14, 2013, as the first use in commerce of the mark. The registered services include providing a website featuring blogs and non-downloadable publications concerning hair, hair-care products, hair styling and hair care.[2]
The publication subsequently expanded its online content into reference tools and other educational products. Its current press materials state that the site has published more than 950 articles and guides.[3]
Content
Curl Centric's principal activity is the publication of educational material about textured hair. Its coverage includes curly, coily, kinky and wavy hair and topics such as hair-care routines, hair growth, hair breakage, shrinkage, porosity, density, protective styling, braids, twists, locs, hair products and ingredients.[1]
The publication maintains an editorial guidelines page describing its approach to researching and updating articles. The guidelines state that content is researched before publication and that articles may be reviewed and updated when information or evidence changes. The publication also identifies advertising and affiliate relationships in its editorial policies.[4]
Hair typing
One of Curl Centric's principal reference resources is its guide to hair typing and curl-pattern classification. The guide discusses the classification system commonly associated with hairstylist Andre Walker and describes curl patterns using categories including 1A through 4C.[5]
The hair-typing material has been cited in academic literature. A 2022 article published in the International Journal of Women's Dermatology, titled "Curl pattern classification: a potential tool for communication and risk stratification", lists Curl Centric's hair-typing article as its first reference.[6]
The article examines curl-pattern classification in relation to communication and the assessment of hair and scalp characteristics. Its reference list identifies Curl Centric's hair-typing material as one of the sources used by the authors.[6]
Tools and reference materials
Curl Centric provides a collection of online calculators and printable resources related to textured hair. The site's calculator section includes tools relating to hair growth, hair shrinkage and the quantity of hair required for braiding, among other resources.[7]
The publication also maintains the Natural Hair Dictionary, a glossary of terminology associated with natural and textured hair. The current dictionary contains approximately 248 terms and provides definitions for terms, abbreviations and expressions used in the subject area.[8]
Books and publications
Curl Centric has produced publications in addition to its free online articles. One of its paid educational products is the Natural Hair Regimen Manual, a 90-day guide addressing aspects of developing a hair-care regimen.[1]
Kira Byrd has also authored children's publications associated with Curl Centric. The company's current author information identifies Curly Kids Coloring Book and The Loosey Goosey Tooth among her published works.[9]
Podcast
Curl Centric produces the podcast Curl Science by Curl Centric, which discusses commonly encountered claims and questions relating to hair care and available research. Topics covered by the podcast include hair growth, hair breakage, hair porosity and various hair-care ingredients and practices.[10]
The podcast is produced by Kenneth and Kira Byrd and is distributed through several podcast and audio platforms.[10]
Business model
Curl Centric operates as an online publishing business. Its stated revenue sources include digital advertising, affiliate commissions and brand partnerships.[4]
The publication's editorial guidelines state that advertising and affiliate relationships are disclosed and that editorial content is not sold as paid placement. The company also provides opportunities for advertising and product-related submissions through its business contact channels.[4][11]
Legal entity and trademark
Curl Centric operates through Natural Hair Community, LLC, an Alabama limited liability company.[1]
The CURL CENTRIC name is registered as a United States service mark. The United States Patent and Trademark Office record identifies Natural Hair Community, LLC as the owner of the mark and describes the associated services as a website featuring blogs and non-downloadable publications concerning hair, hair-care products, hair styling and hair care.[2]
The registration is identified as United States trademark registration number 4,627,862.[3]
External recognition and references
Curl Centric's material has been referenced by third-party publications and online encyclopedic resources.
The English-language Wikipedia article Hair cites a Curl Centric article concerning the number of hairs on the human head. The same Curl Centric source is also cited in the Wikipedia article Human hair growth.[12][13]
In academic literature, the 2022 International Journal of Women's Dermatology article on curl-pattern classification cites Curl Centric's hair-typing guide as its first reference.[6]
These references document instances in which Curl Centric's published material has been used as a source by independent publications. They do not necessarily represent endorsements of the company or its other content.
Founders
Kenneth Byrd
Kenneth Byrd is a co-founder of Curl Centric and a managing partner of Natural Hair Community, LLC. His work with the publication includes business operations, research and development of digital resources.[14]
Kira Byrd
Kira Byrd is a co-founder of Curl Centric and a hairstylist and barber. She began publishing information about natural and textured hair in 2008, establishing the publishing project that later became Curl Centric.[9]
External links
Founders
Kenneth Byrd
Kira Byrd
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 Curl Centric, "About Curl Centric"
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 United States Patent and Trademark Office, Official Gazette, August 12, 2014
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Curl Centric, "Press Kit"
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Curl Centric, "Editorial Guidelines"
- ↑ Curl Centric, "Hair Typing System"
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 International Journal of Women's Dermatology, "Curl pattern classification: a potential tool for communication and risk stratification", 2022
- ↑ Curl Centric, "Hair Calculators and Printables"
- ↑ Curl Centric, "Natural Hair Dictionary"
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Curl Centric, "Kira Byrd"
- ↑ 10.0 10.1 Curl Centric, "Curl Science"
- ↑ Curl Centric, "Contact"
- ↑ Wikipedia, "Hair"
- ↑ Wikipedia, "Human hair growth"
- ↑ Curl Centric, "Kenneth Byrd"